Public tries to save man's life

Passers-by, lifeguards and emergency services combined to save an Orewa Beach visitor on Monday morning after the man suffered a suspected heart attack and stopped breathing.

After initial efforts by people nearby, Orewa lifeguards performed CPR and used a defibrillator to successfully restart the man's heart and resuscitate the patient before paramedics took him to hospital where he remains in a serious condition.

It is believed the 58-year-old man is a former Olympic marathon runner from Germany holidaying in the area.

- © Fairfax NZ News